Retromandibular vein
Vena retromandibularis
A vein inside the parotid gland behind the jaw, formed by the temporal and maxillary veins and dividing near the jaw angle.
At a glance
- English
- Retromandibular vein
- Latin (TA2)
- Vena retromandibularis
- System
- Vein
- Region
- Head
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the retromandibular vein
The retromandibular vein, also known as the posterior facial or temporomaxillary vein, is one of the principal veins at the side of the face. It forms within the upper part of the parotid gland, just in front of the ear, where the superficial temporal vein from the temple meets the maxillary vein coming back from the pterygoid plexus.
From there it descends through the substance of the gland, behind the mandibular ramus and in front of sternocleidomastoid. Within the parotid it lies in a middle layer: the branches of the facial nerve run superficial to it, and the external carotid artery deeper still. This arrangement makes it a reliable guide to the plane of the facial nerve during parotid surgery.
Near the angle of the jaw the vein usually splits. The anterior division runs forwards to join the facial vein, making the common facial vein, which empties into the internal jugular vein. The posterior division continues down, takes in the posterior auricular vein, and from there on is called the external jugular vein. The pattern varies, and either division may be large, small or missing.
Through its two roots the vein drains the temple and the scalp above the ear, the auricle in large part, and the deep region of the face reached by the maxillary vein. Its position in the parotid means swelling of the gland, as in mumps or parotitis, causes tenderness behind the angle of the jaw, and pressing there to bring on pain is known as Parrot sign. The vein is also a landmark on scans and in the surgical approach to the mandibular ramus from behind.
Course and drainage
- Begins at
- Formed in the parotid gland, in front of the ear, where the superficial temporal vein meets the maxillary vein.
- Drains into
- Divides near the angle of the mandible into an anterior division to the facial vein and a posterior division that joins the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein.
- Drains
- Drains the temple, the scalp in front of and above the ear, much of the auricle, the parotid gland and the deep face.
Anthromica
See the retromandibular vein where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
